If you are looking for family friendly beaches, Michigan has you covered. With 4 different Great Lakes, there are thousands of miles of beaches in Michigan to choose from—3,288 miles, to be exact.
This article will give you insight into some of the best of these beaches and what they are all about. Hopefully learning about them will help you narrow down the perfect ones to visit and enjoy with the whole family.
1. Silver Beach
Located in St. Joseph, Silver Beach is one of the best family friendly beaches out there. Even Parents Magazine agrees, as they named it one of the top 10 family beaches.
Silver Beach is good if you are looking for a popular place with lots of activities. It features the Silver Beach Carousel, which has been around for over 100 years and is always a good time for the whole family. This beach also features volleyball and concessions. It even has a splash pad where kids can play and run through water!
Silver Beach also has lifeguards, so you can feel at ease as your children swim in the lake.
2. Tiscornia Beach
Tiscornia Beach takes up 16 acres along Lake Michigan, and it just so happens to be right across from Silver Beach in the city of St. Joseph. This means that if you are interested in Silver Beach, you should definitely consider checking out this one as well when you are in the area!
This beach is great if you want something a little bit less touristy but still enjoy having some amenities. Your kids will get to splash around and build sandcastles, and you can relax on the side or join in on their fun.
Tiscornia Beach has a nice lighthouse and a walkway that is perfect for fishing or just looking out at the sea. It also has bathrooms and showers so you can clean up before you go. There is a pavilion that’s perfect for picnics if you are going with a large group. It will fit up to about 35 people; just make sure you reserve it beforehand!
3. Grand Haven State Park Beach
Located in Grand Haven, this state park is 48 acres and packed with fun.
There are many activities at this beach including swimming, volleyball, a fishing pier, and a lighthouse. There are also some nice trails throughout the park filled with beautiful views. All these things are sure to leave the family entertained for hours on end.
Even better, the beach also has a campground! This means that you can stay there for a few nights to really maximize your time and do as much (or as little) as you want.
4. Twelvemile Beach
If you want to be sure to bring the whole family, Twelvemile is a great pet friendly beach where your furry friend(s) can join you on your adventure. Hence its name, the beach is 12 miles, and it’s located on Lake Superior in the town of Munising.
Twelvemile Beach is beautiful, with white sand and clear, blue water. It is completely free to enter, and contains a campground and port-a-potties. This is the perfect destination if you are looking for something more calm with less attractions.
Do note that you will have to walk down a long flight of stairs to get to the beach, so keep this in mind if you have kids who aren’t the most fond of walking.
5. Stearns Park Beach
Located in Ludington, Stearns Beach is a great option that runs along the shore of Lake Michigan and is very close to downtown.
This beach is free to swim at and wander through, and it’s open to anyone. It’s just a 1/2 mile, but it packs in so many fun activities that will be sure to keep everyone in the family entertained.
Besides the average swimming and sunbathing that you find at a beach, at Stearns Park you will also find mini golf, concessions, beach volleyball and a skate park. There is a playground and picnic area as well if you’re looking for another place to rest besides the sand.
6. Esch Road Beach
Esch Road Beach is located on the Lake Michigan coastline in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. The park is over 32,000 acres big, and Esch Road Beach is just a small and amazing part of it.
Though it is a short 0.9 mile hike down some dunes to get there, you are rewarded with a beautiful and less populated beach. Since Otter Creek is flowing through the beach into Lake Michigan, there is some nice shallow water to splash around in that is perfect for kids.
If you are looking for a more solitary and relaxing experience at the beach but still want some good family time, this is the perfect destination.
7. Pere Marquette Beach
This is a great beach that’s located along Lake Michigan in Muskegon. The beach is 2.5 miles, and it’s perfect for swimming and lounging around while the kids play. Though not all of the beach is pet friendly, there is a section that allows pets, so it is possible to take your dog(s) with you!
Pere Marquette Beach has bathrooms and concessions, which is great if you are traveling with the family (or alone, for that matter). It also offers kayaking and paddleboarding, which are really fun activities that both you and the kids will enjoy.
There is also daily maintenance at this beach, so you don’t have to worry about coming across a bunch of trash or anything of the sort. That being said, make sure to still throw away any of your garbage. Just because someone is maintaining the beach, that isn’t an excuse to leave all of your trash there!
In conclusion…
If you are looking to enjoy some family time at Michigan beaches, there are plenty of options! Hopefully some of these stood out to you and made you excited to get out there and have a nice vacation. Going to the beach is a great experience, especially when you can share it with the people that you love.
